I think it's squad management, as much as anything. We have plenty of attackers and if you're leaving somebody who's trained all week and been in all the tactical meetings out of the squad for someone who has only just stepped back off a flight and been a part of one session, you're likely to start creating issues for yourself
Also, maybe Downs will be better away from home without the St Mary's pressure. I know he missed a sitter away at Norwich too, but he needs to stop trying so hard and will come good for us I am convinced.
I think Downs profile as striker fits the team the best, but he does need to show a lot more than he has so far in a Saints shirt. None of our strikers have staked a strong claim really so no problem with any of the 3 being given the nod today. Excited to see Jander get a start! COYR
I am pretty confident he will look much better in a 4-2-3-1 with proper wingers and a 10, rather than looking very isolated with the previous tactical setup from the start of the season before we had the likes of Azaz and Fellows
Exactly this, really! If you were going to put together a profile for a 4-2-3-1 with the types of players we have in the '3' then you'd go for him. But it's a results business so we do need him to take his opportunity now
As we are a long ball side makes sense to have a bigger central striker. Would’ve preferred Stewart personally to be the starter and Downs has to earn his place, but prefer Downs to Archer if we are playing the same way we have done in every other game this season.
Yeah the way we are playing is not how I’d ever want us to. But if we are playing “get it wide and into the box” or “get it forward as quickly as possible”, like we have demonstrated in every game so far, then you need a big central striker
Exactly. Stewart is by far our best striker for holding the ball up, and he is best in the air for crosses. He will press more too. But let’s see. If Jander is as good as we hope, and Azaz/Fellows are on it, then you’d like to think any of our strikers should do the job.
That's the team I'd have picked even if Downes wasn't un well. Archer might feel hard done by as he's been excellent with his movement up front, but with Downs pace/height I think he brings more to the team with how Still wants to play.
I can’t see that any of Azaz, Fellows, or Downs will do much of the gritty stuff, so I’m expecting the two CMs to have their work cut out today. Think we’ll be behind at half time but will salvage a draw when we use some subs.
Hull's stadium is ****ing weird, seat numbers all over the place. 11 - 10 - 9 - 8 - 240 - 239 **** knows if I'm in the right place.
Should be our aim in most games tbf. Just stay in the game until our stronger bench can come on against tiring legs/their weaker subs and then nick a goal
I shall be sat in the warm at the kitchen table pretending to watch a recording of the F1 whilst eyeballing the live text as I finish off a second Death Company Dreadnought (those of the right geeky persuasion will know what that is) over copious cups of tea
